The biggest foregone conclusion in Formula 1 is official for 2026.
Mercedes announced Wednesday that George Russell had officially signed a contract to race for the team next season. Russells current contract expired at the end of the season, but after Max Verstappen reiterated that he was returning to Red Bull in 2026 and that none of the out clauses in his contract were triggered ahead of the summer break it was clear that Russells near-term future was at Mercedes.
The new deal comes after Russell ran out to a dominant win at Singapore. He got the pole and was unchallenged during the race as McLaren didnt have the pace to match either Russell or Verstappen despite clinching the constructors title.
Confirming our driver lineup was always just a matter of when, not if, team principal Toto Wolff said in a statement.
We wanted to take our time, handle the negotiations properly and make sure everyone, on all sides, was happy. Im pleased we have done that.
The team also confirmed that Kimi Antonelli would return for his second season. Antonelli was promoted to F1 ahead of the 2025 season following Lewis Hamiltons departure to Ferrari.
Mercedes is currently second in the constructors standings and 27 points ahead of Ferrari. Red Bull is 35 points back in fourth, as Verstappen has scored 273 of the teams 290 points.
Russell is fourth in the drivers standings behind Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Verstappen. He has a comfortable 60-point lead over Ferraris Charles Leclerc in fifth. Antonelli is seventh in the standings and 18 points ahead of Williams Alex Albon in eighth.
The Singapore win was Russells second of the season after he won in Canada over the summer. With new car regulations ahead for the 2026 season, Russell could have a great chance at his first championship. Mercedes engine development has long been rumored to be ahead of everyone elses for next season.